Ossie rules for Moyes

Posted Sunday, October 04, 2009 by PA

Everton boss David Moyes hailed stand-in captain Leon Osman's "special goal" after the 1-1 draw against Stoke at Goodison Park.

Osman was captain because of injuries to Phil Neville and Joseph Yobo, and grabbed an outstanding second-half equaliser after Robert Huth had put Stoke ahead with a fine header - his first goal for the club since moving from Middlesbrough in the summer.

Moyes said: "Leon was terrific as captain, it's a role he has had a few times when people have been injured.

"He has been at this club since he was a boy, he has worked very hard to get where he is and he will have to continue to work hard to stay there.

"He had a shot just before he scored that went miles wide. So he had big b s to try the same thing again. Crowds here can be unforgiving at times, but he produced the same shot again and put it in the top corner for a special goal.

"He deserves credit for showing that sort of courage to have another go like that. And he got his reward.

"He's a local boy and has made a terrific contribution to this club over the years.

"There have been suggestions that people like him could have been on their way, but players like Ossie and Tony Hibbert are part of the furniture here, they have been through the bad times and they very rarely let us down.

"They do their very best in every game and you cannot ask for any more."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was delighted with the point, saying: "Last season we were beaten and over-powered at Everton, but this time we have shown great character and deserved the point.

"You have to stand up and be counted at places like this, and that is what we did. I am very pleased with the performance.

"We are happy with a point and it was a much better performance to the one that saw us lose to Manchester United last weekend.

"The players were more committed, we defended very well when we had to.

"Last season we were absolutely murdered here, but this time we have taken a few punches and kept getting up. We were smashing.

"At the end when Everton were really pushing against us, we gave the ball away a lot and we have to do better in such situations and concentrate more.

"There are areas we have to improve on, but it is small steps for a club like us.

"Everton really test a team in the box, they have big players who are very good in such situations. They trouble you with set-plays, this is a very difficult place to come."